International charity - where we work

We go where the need is greatest

In the last 20 years, the number of people living in extreme poverty has dramatically reduced and continues to drop. But this good news hides a stark reality. Poverty is in retreat, but it is still prevalent in many parts of the world; in places where children suffer the most and not all organisations can reach. But World Vision can.

Backed by people like you, the places we work include some of most fragile and remote places on earth, reaching the most vulnerable and marginalised children and their communities. Children are born to thrive and enjoy life in all its fullness – and we will not stop until every child can reach their dreams.

Partnerships with Area Programmes

Along with our Emergency Aid work, World Vision focuses on long-term development and World Vision Ireland has an active partnership with five Area Programmes (APs) across three nations: Tanzania, Uganda and Nepal.

What is an AP?

An AP (Area Programme) is a 10-15 year community development programme, where World Vision works with an entire community to address and eradicate the causes of poverty. APs are a long-term approach to development, where we partner with children, families and communities, supporting them to identify and overcome obstacles that prevent them from living life in all its fullness. Each AP is tailored to the needs of a specific community. World Vision works closely with local leaders and authorities and local partners to implement programme activities. Here in our Map you can see all the places where World Vision works. We have highlighted in orange the location of World Vision Ireland’s Area Programmes.

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How we help communities

We care for every child. In particular, we’re focused on helping the most vulnerable; including those living in the world’s hardest places and most at risk of poverty, exploitation and abuse.

And that's not all - we empower communities and guide them to set their own goals and equip them so that progress made is sustained, and continued, long after we've left.

We focus on the root causes of poverty and violence

providing clean water, vital health services and income-generating training

We work locally - 99% of our staff work in their home regions

so they know the culture, language and communities they're working alongside

We go in fast when needed, and stay as long as we’re needed

staying for up to 10 years until families are self-sufficient and thriving

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, 3.4 million children are sponsored through World Vision, tackling the root causes of poverty.

Your support transforms lives

Thanks to people like you, we support children and families to work their way out of poverty, disasters and exploitation across the world.

What your support does:

A girl in Ethiopia looks into the camera, wearing a pink jacket

Fanos' Story

Stop child marriage

Fanos, 15, lives with her family in a rural village in Ethiopia.

Abebe, Fanos’s father, received a marriage proposal for his daughter from a businessman who lived in their village. “I and her mother were happy about the marriage proposal. We did not know that it would harm our daughter,” Abebe admits.

Fanos wasn’t so pleased: “I was very afraid thinking I would no longer go to school. I did not even know the person whom I was going to get married to."

An Ethiopian girl and her family stand outside a house looking into the camera

Fanos' Story

Alemtsehay steps in

When Alemtsehay, a community worker, heard of Fanos’ situation, she reported it to World Vision.

Alemtsehay has been trained to find cases of child abuse in her community and report them through official lines. She also provides support to families and children involved in early marriage proposals. Using mobile phones means the relevant people find out about the child protection violation in time and can act, even in the most remote villages.

A girl feeds her family cows in Ethiopia

Fanos' Story

A brighter future

Thanks to this intervention and discussions with her parents, Fanos’ marriage was cancelled. She is still in school and studying hard.

“I am very grateful to World Vision and my teachers for intervening and saving my life,” Fanos - pictured here feeding the family cows - added.

She now has the opportunity to complete her education and make better choices for her future, thanks to community champions like Alemtsehay and the donors who supported her training and resourcing.

Children in danger right now

Some countries are considered too fragile for an ongoing child sponsorship programme. But children in these places urgently need our help - and we are driven to go where the need is greatest. Join us in helping these at-risk children by donating regularly - starting from just €20 a month.

We will ensure it goes to those who need it the most.

Sponsor a child